WS6 Operating temp

[Old Blue 66]

I was sitting in traffic yesterday and noticed the temp gauge heading up to 210 and slightly beyond. The outside temp was 85 and I had the top down. Started driving and it fell to about 200-205. What is a safe temp? Just checking on this in case I need to replace the drain the coolant (no telling how old it is) and the stat. The ccoolant is bright green and is full.

In the classic car world of where I most of my experience, 210 is way too high for an iron block. Not sure about these modern engines though with aluminum blocks.

[Rocky Rotella]

Totally normal! The computer-controlled engines actually want to run warmer because it helps combat emissions and improve efficiency. It's all part of the programmed plan.

[Old Blue 66]

I know they run warmer. Didn't know that.

Someone suggested I take the radiator out and check for clogs. And replace the stat with a 195 degree one. If were talking normal operating temp, I don't feel like doing that.

[jmt455]

Normal.
My 2000 WS6 vert ran at that temp range from Day 1.
(wish I hadn't sold THAT one!)

[Old Blue 66]

Do i get worried when it hits 220 or slightly beyond?

[jmt455]

IIRC, the electric cooling fan doesn't even switch on until 225F (or when the A/C is turned on). On the dual-fan systems, I think the secondary fan comes on at about 245F.

In a 16psi system, a 50/50 antifreeze/H2O mixture has a boiling point of approximately 265F.

I wouldn't worry about it unless I saw temps creeping over 240F during normal driving with ambient temps in the 80s.

[Old Blue 66]

Cool. Thanks for the info.

[David Holmberg]

Ok, here is the deal.

Up until 98 the temp gauges were fairly accurate. People would freak out over the high temps/movement and complain to the dealers. Starting somewhere around 98/99 they started using a gauge that went to 210 and just kinda stayed there.

Its normal and the factory thought it was good.

On my 98 TA I installed a 160 stat and reprogrammed the fans, but it still got around 200 on hot days in traffic.

So, like the others have all said, its normal don't worry about it.

[Cammer-6]

your 98 should have had pink(dexcool)
hope it doesnt have any problems with mixing green.

After many years and many more GM vehicles with previous owners that didnt keep up Dexcool service intervals,Ive found a cleaner that works to get rid of the horrible brown Dexcool sludge.I would do the flush,refill with water and a gutted thermostat and cleaner and run for a few hours,then do a couple flush/refills with plain water.See if that doesnt help before refilling with your choice of antifreeze. BTW I still use dexcool on all my later model GMs. Remember to purge the air out of your 98 when done.

[Old Blue 66]

Im going to run with the majority here and leave it alone. I just don't have the time this season.

[Cammer-6]

cant stress enough the need for a clean cooling system
steam vents get clogged and its trouble
mixing pink and green without a proper flush spells trouble also

[red1975pacer]

HEy folks, with a 10000 mile 2000 WS6 should I have the original coolent changed?

[Cammer-6]

I would
is it still pink and is there any brown deposits anywhere in system?

[red1975pacer]

Concerning if the antifreeze is still pink I wouldnt know. In almost 14 years Ive never taken off the radiator cap. Maybe someone should start a thread on how to maintain low mileige cars. I know I could learn a few pointers

[GTOWAGON]

The due cool will go bad in 5 years or so when I bought my 2000ws6 it had 15k miles on it and had never had the Rex oll changed this was in 2008 I pulled the cap and it was already brown flushed the whole system put in a 180 stat reprogrammed the fans and have never had a problem even in the mid 90's with ac on it never goes over 195

[Cammer-6]

Originally Posted by red1975pacer

Concerning if the antifreeze is still pink I wouldnt know. In almost 14 years Ive never taken off the radiator cap. Maybe someone should start a thread on how to maintain low mileige cars. I know I could learn a few pointers

I would do a flush & refill with proper dexcool right away.Pull the cap and see if theres brown stuff.
Currently going thru the flush procedure on my 03 Blazer that I dont believe was changed by PO and system was like mud.
The 4th gens are a real bear to purge which is a must.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by GTOWAGON

The due cool will go bad in 5 years or so when I bought my 2000ws6 it had 15k miles on it and had never had the Rex oll changed this was in 2008 I pulled the cap and it was already brown flushed the whole system put in a 180 stat reprogrammed the fans and have never had a problem even in the mid 90's with ac on it never goes over 195

How did you do that? And what did you program them to do?

[David Holmberg]

There are plenty of handhelds and programs like HPTuners that you can change almost any setting. You can also monitor almost everything going on with the car in real time.

You can watch everything the computer can see. O2's, throttle position, vacuum, temps, etc. Its pretty cool what a program and a laptop can show you on these cars.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by David Holmberg

There are plenty of handhelds and programs like HPTuners that you can change almost any setting. You can also monitor almost everything going on with the car in real time.

You can watch everything the computer can see. O2's, throttle position, vacuum, temps, etc. Its pretty cool what a program and a laptop can show you on these cars.

But Im sure its just like anything else. You have to know what they all mean and how to program them to operate correctly.

Theres a unit I saw recently that plugged in and wireless sent info to a smartphone app.

[GTOWAGON]

I like the diablo sport tuners very easy to use.